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About Me

I am a postdoctoral researcher at Tsinghua University working at the intersection of civil and construction engineering, intelligent built environments, and artificial intelligence. I earned my Ph.D. in Architecture and Civil Engineering from City University of Hong Kong in June 2026.

My research combines computer vision, machine learning, building performance simulation (EnergyPlus and CFD), and data-driven decision-making. My work spans occupant-centric comfort and HVAC control, intelligent ventilation, construction robotics, and AI-assisted infrastructure condition assessment.

Education
  • City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong
    Architecture and Civil Engineering
    Ph.D.
    Jun 2026
  • City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong
    Civil and Architectural Engineering
    M.Sc. with Distinction (Top 10%)
    Oct 2021
  • Chongqing University
    Chongqing University
    Civil Engineering
    B.Eng.
    Jun 2017
Experience
  • Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University
    Department of Building Science
    Postdoctoral Fellow
    Present
  • City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong
    Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering
    Research Assistant (Full-time / Part-time)
    2021–2026
  • China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC)
    China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC)
    Construction site engineering and BIM-based quantity surveying
    On-Site Civil Engineer
    2017–2019
Honors & Awards
  • Best Paper Award — ICCEPM, Jeju, South Korea
    2025
  • Runner-Up Award — ICCEPM, Hokkaido, Japan
    2024
  • Grand Award, Professional Research Category — Hong Kong openBIM/openGIS Award
    2023
  • Merit Certificate — Teaching Students: First Steps (SG8001), City University of Hong Kong
    2023
  • Best Technical Paper Award — SBE22 Seoul (CIB)
    2022
  • Distinction Award — M.Sc. in Civil and Architectural Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
    2021
  • Excellent Award — Student Research Training Program, Chongqing University
    2015
News
2026
Completed my Ph.D. in Architecture and Civil Engineering at City University of Hong Kong.
Jun
2025
Received the Best Paper Award at ICCEPM 2025 in Jeju, South Korea.

Selected Publications (view all →)

Smart Auxiliary Ventilation Adaptive to Dynamic and High-Density Occupants

Zhihao Ren, et al.

International Conference on Construction and Real Estate Management (ICCREM), Hong Kong SAR 2026

Risk-aware robotic infection control: Integrating computer vision and physics-informed decision-making for resilient ventilation in offices

Zhihao Ren, et al.

Developments in the Built Environment 2026

[DOI]

ECO-FOCUS: Integrating computer vision and machine learning for personalized comfort prediction and adaptive HVAC control in office buildings

Zhihao Ren, et al.

Journal of Building Engineering 2025

[DOI]

Science mapping for advances in integration of domain knowledge into autonomous construction robots

Zhihao Ren, et al.

International Consortium of Construction Engineering and Project Management (ICCEPM), South Korea · Best Paper Award 2025

The Role of AI in On-Site Construction Robotics: A State-of-the-Art Review Using the Sense–Think–Act Framework

Zhihao Ren, J. I. Kim

Buildings 2025

[DOI]

Assessment methodology for dynamic occupancy adaptive HVAC control in subway stations integrating passenger flow simulation into building energy modeling

Zhihao Ren, et al.

Energy and Buildings 2023

[DOI]

Feasibility study on integrated thermal control for subway stations toward smart city development

Zhihao Ren, et al.

Sustainable Built Environment (SBE), Seoul, South Korea · Best Technical Paper Award 2022

Get in touch

If you have questions about my research, see an opportunity to collaborate, or simply want to say hello, please get in touch.